2009-12-10

Juveniles go on crime spree at RV resort over Thanksgiving weekend

By Carol L. Smith

One Thousand Trails couple felt thankful to be alive after being threatened by two juveniles over the long holiday weekend. The juveniles had apparently accompanied their grandparents, who are Thousand Trails members, to the RV resort park in Lakehills.

According to Bandera County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Rob McCutcheon, who is with the Criminal Investigation Division, a video showed two young men wearing black hooded jackets, ski masks and gloves, break into the camp store on Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 26. The pair remained in the store approximately one minute and apparently stole only one pair of sunglasses. However, this was only the beginning of their criminal escapades for the weekend.

On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 9:15 pm, the pair of juveniles, dressed in the same clothes, approached a man and woman out walking. McCutcheon said that, according to the campers, the juveniles pointed a gun at the couple and demanded, “Give me all your money or I’ll kill you.”

The campers told the would-be robbers that they were out for a walk and had no money on them. At that point, the wannabe thieves fled the scene on foot.

Several deputies had been called out to Thousand Trails earlier on Friday, responding to complaints of two boys walking around the resort carrying a gun. The juveniles had been described by campers as approximately 14 to 15 years old and of medium height and build. One was believed to be a fair-skinned African American and the other. A Caucasian.

One camper led a deputy to an RV where he believed the young men were staying.

Approaching the RV, the deputy found two young boys inside who fit the descriptions of the assailants. The pair also appeared to match the suspects on the camera surveillance video.

The grandmother and the two boys denied any involvement in the crimes. However, investigating deputies discovered two ski masks and gloves hidden behind the RV.

Despite the protest of his wife, the grandfather produced a very realistic looking BB pistol, which was positively identified by the camper who had been involved in the attempted robbery.

While no arrests have yet been made, BCSO deputies continue to gather the circumstantial evidence and McCutcheon is currently pursuing the case as an aggravated robbery.